Julian Edelman’s story is a phenomenal one, as despite being a Quarterback at Kent State, Patriots Head Coach, Bill Belichik saw him as a possible receiver/returner, and as often was the case, he was right.  Edelman was never a Pro Bowl or All-Pro Selection, but he became a regular target of Tom Brady, and would have three 1,000-Yard campaigns, accumulating 6,822 Yards with 36 Touchdowns.  Combined with his Return and Rushing Yards, Edelman had a total of 9,869 All-Purpose Yards.

What makes Edelman a fringe Hall of Fame candidate is his post-season play.  Edelman won three Super Bowls (XLIX, LI and LIII), all of which, he was the leading receiver for his team.  In Super Bowl LIII, Edelman was the Super Bowl MVP, and had the catch of the game in their come-from-behind win over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.  Edelman is second only to Jerry Rice in post-season Receptions with 118.

Recently we wrote about the retirement of Julian Edelman, who has been the topic of Hall of Fame discussion, as countless publications have prognosticated about his chances.  It has ranged from good to zero, and if we can give our pair of pennies on it, it is this.

The New England Patriots Hall of Fame will nominate him, and the voting public will induct him.  When it happens, it should be celebrated by the Patriot fan base, and it will be.

As for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we have said often and will say it here bluntly:  Edelman has no chance to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Zero.

Not only that, he will NEVER even be a Pro Football Hall of Fame semi-finalist.

This is not to diminish Edelman’s accomplishments, which is punctuated by his post-season accomplishments. He won three Super Bowls, won a Super Bowl MVP, and is second behind Jerry Rice in playoff Receiving Yards.  He produced more significant gridiron memories than many Hall of Famers, but his overall body of work falls well short of the bar, and that is one lofty horizontal plane.

For a football player to make the Hall, they have to be one of five chosen.  Edelman is not even in the top five of those who have already retired this year, as he is behind Drew Brees, Maurkice Pouncey, Jason Witten, Philip Rivers without question, and arguably a level below Greg Olson, Mike Pouncey and Mike Iupati.   Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson could be done.  It is also projected that Larry Fitzgerald could be done, meaning Edelman is not even close to being the top Wide Receiver to retire this year.

The glut of talent that retires exceeds those who are fighting to get in.  

What year will Julian Edelman be among the top five eligible players for the Hall?   For that matter, how about the top 15?  The top 25?  

It isn’t happening.

Running Back, LeSean McCoy, who also could be calling it a career, meaning that his eligibility will also be 2026, was asked about Edelman’s Hall of Fame chances by Yahoo Sports, and also his own:

Hall of Famer? No, come on, man

You have 16 weeks to showcase who you are, what you can do each year. The playoffs matter but a lot of guys don’t get a chance to play in the playoffs.  I won’t discredit him because I think he’s a great player, plays with a lot of heart, a lot of attitude, a lot of passion. I don’t want to rain on his parade because he’s retiring and he’s a hell of a player, but I don’t know about Hall of Fame

I think I’ve got a good shot at it.  I put my numbers up with any other running backs. In my decade I was the lead dog. I’ve got good numbers, touchdowns, yards, yards per carry, all those things. And you add two Super Bowls with it

In our 2020 pre-season list of active players based on Hall of Fame credentials, McCoy was ranked #31and #3 among Running Backs. McCoy, who was also chosen to the 2010’s All-Decade Team has a much better shot than Edelman, but he is not a lock.

New England Patriots Wide Receiver, Julian Edelman, has retired.  Edelman, who is 34, played only six Games last year due to chronic knee issues, played all 12 of years in the NFL with the Pats.

Edelman’s story is a phenomenal one, as despite being a Quarterback at Kent State, Patriots Head Coach, Bill Belichik saw him as a possible receiver/returner, and as often was the case, he was right.  Edelman was never a Pro Bowl or All-Pro Selection, but he became a regular target of Tom Brady, and would have three 1,000-Yard campaigns, accumulating 6,822 Yards with 36 Touchdowns.  Combined with his Return and Rushing Yards, Edelman had a total of 9,869 All-Purpose Yards.

What makes Edelman a fringe Hall of Fame candidate is his post-season play.  Edelman won three Super Bowls (XLIX, LI and LIII), all of which, he was the leading receiver for his team.  In Super Bowl LIII, Edelman was the Super Bowl MVP, and had the catch of the game in their come-from-behind win over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.  Edelman is second only to Jerry Rice in post-season Receptions with 118.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to thank Julian Edelman for his on-field moments and we wish him the best in his post-playing career.

One of the most debated careers in recent memory is Julian Edelman.  Edelman was never been a Pro Bowl Selection but has had multiple articles praising him as a potential Hall of Famer.